CKO Kickboxing vs Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of CKO Kickboxing vs Aqua-Tots Swim Schools including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
CKO Kickboxing Franchise
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Franchise
Investment $125,012 - $251,862$502,095 - $1,150,237
Franchise Fee $35,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 7%6%
Advertising Fee 1%2%
Year Founded 19971991
Year Franchised 20072007
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
CKO Kickboxing Franchise
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
CKO Kickboxing Franchise
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/Yes-/-
Equipment -/Yes-/-
Inventory -/Yes-/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
CKO Kickboxing Franchise
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 33 hours Classroom Training: 35 hours On-The-Job Training: 2 weeks Classroom Training: 1 week Additional Training: Regional training
Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations
Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising
Operations -Number of Employees Required to Run: 20

Expansion Plans

 
CKO Kickboxing Franchise
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

About CKO Kickboxing

CKO's membership-based financial model is driven by recurring income. This business model has the ability to create consistent revenue streams. Fitness kickboxing is rated as the number one calorie burning exercise by Health and Fitness magazine, burning up to 1000 calories an hour - nothing else comes close! 
CKO Kickboxing uses REAL heavy bags for REAL results - By incorporating real heavy bags into the CKO workout, we ensure that members are working their muscles as well as burning a lot of calories through an intensive cardio workout. 
CKO Kickboxing has a very high retention rate - Our members have historically remained very loyal and one of our best marketing tools is member referral. 
CKO Kickboxing emphasizes quality workouts - The CKO workout produces results without having to resort to expensive machinery.
CKO Kickboxing classes are very time efficient and very effective - The workout is easily adapted to a class size of 3 people or 75, without generating extra expenses. A winning formula of results and fun keeps members coming back and bringing their friends in droves.
 The low capital expenditure combined with a low acquisition cost per client and high revenue per square foot results in fast growth and sustained profitability.
CKO supports new franchise owners in many ways, including:
 *Brand Recognition - CKO appeared in Entrepreneur Magazine, Fox Business News, NBC Today Show.
 *Low Overhead - Location size determined by your market needs.
 *Two-Part Training - Business training and fitness instructor training.
 *Equipment - Top-of-the-line equipment vendors, with national pricing.
 *Profit Centers - Membership, personal training and retail product line.
 *Marketing Support - Grand opening media blitz and monthly advertising campaigns.
 *Software - Web-based management system.
 *Site Selection - Assistance with lease negotiations, term and concessions.
 *Protected Territories - Area developments awarded in qualified markets/candidates.
 *Ongoing Support - We are involved throughout your development.

About Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

We offer franchisees one business model and a choice of two business plans to meet the needs of our franchisees during the start up phase of the franchise program:
Store Front Location (Business Plan Option #1) Begin with your own Aqua-Tots Swim School in a storefront location.
 * The franchisee will be trained, certified and equipped to develop, design, build and train their employees to showcase their Aqua-Tots Swim School location. A franchisee that chooses this option is required to purchase an exclusive territory in which to establish an Aqua-Tots Swim School location to service clients.
 * The franchisee will be given access to the Aqua-Tots Swim Schools facility strategies, custom pool designs, marketing plans and expert experience of establishing the business to help ensure success.
 * The franchisee will be trained, certified at Aqua-Tots corporate training center headquarters for up to three weeks with our master franchisee trainers. Franchisees that lease or build an indoor pool in an existing facility have the most flexibility and foundation to build additional swim school locations in their exclusive territories and have the potential of offering the most profitable services to their clients.

 Home Based Plan (Business Plan Option #2) Begin by establishing contract agreements to utilize pools within your exclusive territory: (Master Planned Communities, Hotels, Resorts, Health Clubs)
 * The franchisee will be trained and certified at Aqua-Tots corporate training center headquarters for up to three weeks with our master franchisee trainers.
 * Franchisees learn the art of establishing contracts for satellite pool locations in their exclusive territory while conducting the business administration and scheduling functions from their home based operation. This business plan allows the new franchisee an opportunity to build a strong client base, maximize profits, reduce overhead costs, and minimize the initial start-up cost.

 * To help ensure success, the franchisee is given access to the Aqua-Tots Swim Schools facility strategies, custom pool designs, and marketing plans. All home based franchisees are required to progress towards leasing a stand alone facility with a pool or buying an existing facility within two years of signing their franchise agreement.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single unit Aqua‐Tots Swim School is $502,095 to $1,150,237. This includes between $40,638 and $40,957 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Multi‐Unit Development Agreement for two Aqua‐Tots Swim School Outlets is $517,095 to $1,165,237. This includes between $55,638 and $55,957 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate. You must purchase a minimum of 2 units under the MUDA. The MUDA fee for each additional unit is $30,000 with 50%, i.e., $15,000 per additional unit, due at the time of signing the Multi‐Unit Development Agreement.

Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Canada, Eastern and Western Europe, Middle East, Mexico and South America

Veteran Incentives  5% off franchise fee
"Entrepreneur
#232 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#174 in Franchise 500 for 2021.